The most advanced orthopedic stem cell treatment in the world, Regenexx-C Intradiscal provides up to 100 to 1,000 times more cells than other procedures, so you will have the added benefit of much higher cell yields for your treatment.

Our Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment involves injecting your cultured, mesenchymal stem cells directly into a vertebral disc in your spine and the surrounding structures, such as facets, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. Regenexx-C Intradiscal can decrease pain, increase function, reduce disc bulge size, and treat degenerative disc disease.

How Does Regenexx-C Intradiscal Work?

Regenexx-C Intradiscal is a two-part, cultured stem cell procedure.

Part 1

A U.S. board certified physician will perform a bone marrow aspiration. Using patented lab techniques, our cell biologists will then isolate your mesenchymal stem cells from your bone marrow aspirate. These repair-enhancing stem cells can be used to treat orthopedic issues. Your stem cells will be grown to much larger numbers (you will have up to 100 – 1,000 times more stem cells available for treatment). Your cultured stem cells will be cryogenically frozen at -150 degrees Celsius, and a sample of the cells undergoes quality assurance testing.

Part 2

You will receive a re-injection of your cultured stem cells. All injections are carried out under advanced image guidance. This allows the physician to precisely target the disc and associated structures to see exactly where the stem cells are being injected – providing you with the best possible outcome. Any additional stem cells can be safely stored at our laboratory and are available for future orthopedic treatment at any time.

Why come to Regenexx Cayman for Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment?

Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment has been proven to reduce disc bulge size; plus, disc bulge patients also report a significant decrease in pain, an improvement in function, and an overall improvement up to 6 years post-treatment.
Disc tissues are hypoxic (low in oxygen), and it can be difficult for stem cells to survive in this environment. That’s why Regenexx Cayman uses an intradiscal-specific lab protocol. First, we grow your stem cells in a low-oxygen environment. Prior to treatment, we then select cells that demonstrate increased viability. This unique approach improves cell function and treatment efficacy.

We pride ourselves on our ability to customize treatment for each patient; this is just one of the things that sets us apart. For intradiscal treatment, the disc space is small, so patients need a high concentration of stem cells in small volume doses. Since we process our stem cell samples in a laboratory by hand, we’re able to concentrate our stem cell volumes significantly more than the simple, automated bedside machines you’ll find in other facilities.

Our physicians carry out guided spinal injections, using fluoroscopy imaging and contrast dye, to see exactly where they’re injecting your stem cells. 

Regenexx Cayman’s exclusive culturing process will provide you with up to 100 to 1,000 times more stem cells for treatment. Because of the high cell yields, Regenexx-C Intradiscal is an ideal option for some spine patients who want to:

  • Treat multiple joints and/or vertebral levels

  • Avoid back and spinal fusion surgery

  • Treat severe back injuries and conditions, including degenerative disc disease

  • Reduce disc bulge size

  • Bank stem cells for future treatment 

  • Experience the most advanced orthopedic stem cell treatment in the world!

What’s included in the cost of Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment?

The cost of Regenexx-C Intradiscal starts at US$22,500 for one disc level. Regenexx-C Intradiscal is a two-part, cultured stem cell procedure.
During Part 1, you will receive:
  • A consultation, evaluation, and diagnostic ultrasound
  • A blood draw
  • A bone marrow aspiration
  • Exclusive stem cell culturing
  • Stem cell quality assurance testing
  • Stem cell storage*
  • Complimentary transportation**
During Part 2, you will receive:
  • A follow-up consultation
  • A blood draw
  • A re-injection of your cultured cells, directly into your spinal disc(s) and surrounding structures.
  • Stem cell storage (for cells remaining after treatment)
  • Complimentary transportation
*The first year of stem cell storage is complimentary and subsequent years are US$450 per annum. **International patients receive complimentary transportation to and from the airport, to your Seven Mile Beach accommodation, and to all Regenexx Cayman clinic appointments.

Regenexx-C Intradiscal: Next Steps

  1. Send an email to [email protected] or call our patient care team on 1-877-211-3834 (U.S. toll-free), 0-800-041-8772 (U.K. toll-free) or 1-345-943-5900 (Local).

  2. Schedule a phone review or consultation with one of Regenexx Cayman’s U.S. board certified physicians.

  3. The physician will thoroughly review your medical history, imaging, and treatment goals.

  4. You will receive a candidacy rating of good, fair, or poor, so you have a clear understanding of your expected outcome.

  5. Schedule your treatment. 

  6. Travel to Regenexx Cayman and receive complimentary transportation to and from the airport, to your Seven Mile Beach (SMB) location, and to all Regenexx Cayman appointments.

  7. Stay along stunning Seven Mile Beach and enjoy preferred rates at select hotels.

  8. Complete Regenexx-C Part 1: your bone marrow aspiration (BMA). Your stem cells will be cultured (grown to much larger numbers), thoroughly tested for quality assurance, and cryogenically frozen. 

  9. Travel back to Regenexx Cayman for Regenexx-C Part 2: your re-injection of cultured stem cells.

  10. After treatment, any additional stem cells will be cryopreserved at our state-of-the-art laboratory, available for future treatment.

If you have any questions about Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment, please contact our patient care team.

FAQ

To find out if you’re a candidate for Regenexx-C stem cell therapy, simply schedule a phone review with a Regenexx Cayman physician. During your phone review, the physician will thoroughly review your medical history, imaging, and treatment goals. You will also receive a candidacy rating of good, fair, or poor, so you have a clear understanding of your expected Regenexx-C outcome. If you are interested in booking a phone review, please contact our patient care team.

Your safety is our priority. Intradiscal procedures require specialist training and skills. Before being approved to perform the Regenexx-C Intradiscal procedure at Regenexx Cayman, physicians must undertake specialist IOF intradiscal training and complete additional spinal and intradiscal procedure hours. To ensure your stem cells are precisely injected, our physicians carry out guided spinal injections, using fluoroscopy imaging and contrast dye, to see exactly where they’re injecting your stem cells. 

At Regenexx Cayman, our quality assurance protocols are designed to ensure your stem cells are safe and healthy for re-injection. After your stem cells are cryopreserved, a sample is tested for sterility at a third-party laboratory. 

A cultured stem cell sample is also sent for karyotype analysis at an independent cytogenetics laboratory at the University of Colorado. This analysis examines whole chromosome structure and number, which is indicative of cell stability and health. 

As an additional safeguard, a sample is tested immediately before re-injection to ensure your stem cells are free of endotoxins.

Prior to your bone marrow aspiration (BMA), a local anaesthetic is used to ensure the area is thoroughly numb. Around 80% of patients report the BMA as “comfortable with no major soreness after the procedure.” There is some discomfort during the procedure, but it is not typically painful – many patients describe it as a deep pressure. 

Patients sometimes confuse a bone marrow aspiration with a bone marrow biopsy, which is a much more invasive and painful procedure. We can provide oral medication to help anxious patients relax, or we can arrange conscious sedation (a type of anesthesia). 

Your physician will provide you with specific post-procedure instructions and rehab protocols. However, it is important to rest and recover for the first 2-3 days post-procedure. If you are pain-free and symptom-free, you can slowly test the area with some light “activity-as-tolerated”.

Many of our intradiscal patients can go back to doing light activities within two weeks of treatment. Patients can also usually partake in more dynamic exercise 7 to 12 weeks after receiving Regenexx-C Intradiscal. Active patients report being able to return to full functional activity after 13 weeks.

Most patients report a modest improvement in the first month, and patients usually notice continuous improvement many months post-procedure. Our outcome data suggests peak functionality at 1-2 years after treatment.

Like all medical procedures, Regenexx procedures have a success and failure rate, and not everyone will experience the same results. Results may vary based on an individual’s overall condition, health, the number and frequency of stem cell therapies, and recovery response time.

Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment can be used to treat certain disc conditions. To find out if Regenexx-C Intradiscal can treat your orthopedic condition, please contact our patient care team.

Yes, you can treat multiple discs or additional extremity joints at the same time – this is one of the great benefits of Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment. We grow your stem cells, so you have up to 100-1,000 times more cells available for treatment. The increased cell count from the culturing process makes it more likely that you can have intradiscal injections and treat other extremity joints or vertebral levels.

Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment is used to treat spinal discs. Please note that not all back problems are disc-related, and therefore do not require intradiscal injections. Your Regenexx physician will determine if a Regenexx-C Intradiscal procedure is right for you. To find out if Regenexx Cayman can treat your spinal condition, please contact our patient care team.

How much does Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment cost?

The cost of Regenexx-C Intradiscal starts at $22,500 for one disc level. Regenexx-C Intradiscal is not covered by insurance and Regenexx Cayman requires all treatment costs to be paid upfront.

What is the difference between Regenexx-C treatment for the spine and Regenexx-C Intradiscal?

Regenexx-C spine treatment involves injecting your spine’s surrounding structures, including ligaments, joints, muscles, and nerves. With Regenexx-C Intradiscal, we also inject stem cells directly into your intervertebral disc.

Not all orthopedic spinal issues require an intradiscal procedure; treating the surrounding spinal structures may be recommended over an intradiscal injection. A Regenexx Cayman physician will advise you on treatment options for your specific condition.

Do I need conscious sedation for Regenexx-C Intradiscal?

Conscious sedation is not necessary during most Regenexx procedures; however, your physician will recommend it for Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment. Conscious sedation is a form of anesthesia; this means that you remain conscious and can continue to breathe without assistance. Please note: this is NOT the same as full anesthesia.

Does Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment hurt?

The standard protocol is for a patient to be sedated during Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment, this will help you relax and minimize discomfort. Everyone perceives pain differently, but most patients report the re-injection as only mildly to moderately uncomfortable.

Will I be in pain after Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment?

You can expect to feel some level of discomfort, aching, or pain after your treatment. Patients typically experience moderate discomfort for up to 72 hours after an intradiscal re-injection, which gradually dissipates after a few days.

How long do I have to stay in the Cayman Islands for Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment?

Two separate trips to Regenexx Cayman are required for Regenexx-C Intradiscal treatment. For Part 1, we recommend staying on island for at least 2-3 days. For Part 2, you are typically required to stay on island for 3-4 days. If you are treating other joints too, we recommend staying for 6-9 nights.

Can I use someone else’s cells for treatment?

No, Regenexx Cayman will not use someone else’s cells for your treatment. Similarly, we will not use your stem cells to treat another patient or family member. Regenexx only provides autologous stem cell therapy, which means we use a person’s own stem cells for treatment.

How long can I store my stem cells?

Your cells can be stored indefinitely; however, once all your stored stem cells have been used for treatment, another bone marrow aspiration will be required (if you would like to keep storing your cells or have further Regenexx-C treatment). Each time you come for treatment, a portion of your cells will be taken from storage.

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